Sapindaceae FAMILY
Matayba guianensis
Matayba guianensis
Edibility
0/5
Medicinal
2/5
Safety & Hazards
The fruit is considered poisonous and, if eaten, is said to make a person mentally unbalanced[1].
Cultivation Details
HabitSemi-deciduous Tree
GrowthFast
Succeeds in full sun to fairly dense, dappled shade[2]. Young plants have a rapid rate of growth[2]. The fruit is a popular food for birds[2].
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A germination rate in excess of 80% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 15 - 25 days[2]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Matayba+guianensis>
Pollinators
Data unavailable
References
- [1]Contributions to The Flora of Venezuela. — Steyermark J.A. Et al · Chicago Natural History Museum; Chicago. · 1951 - 1957 · http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org ↩︎An excellent flora, though made at a time when botanical knowledge of the areas was still very lacking.
- [2]Brazilian Trees. Volume 3. — Lorenzi. H. · Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil. · 2009 · ISBN 85-86714-34-4 ↩︎Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.